So Heavy

Lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, I mulled it over deeply. 'Is this infinite energy or what?'

Right now, my main body—me—was fast asleep, wrapped around Yuna and Elis. But at the same time, I (Mark Three) was wide awake. So, was I sleeping right now, or was I awake?

"Hmm. Infinite energy for real?"

I had no clue. I was definitely awake, but simultaneously asleep. Everyone needs sleep. Human organs require rest, and the mind is no different. Even superpowered folks with abilities are the same. Having special powers doesn't make you superhuman in that sense. Superhumans need sleep to recharge too.

But I could sleep and stay awake at the same time. So, was my fatigue recovering or not?

"...Whatever!"

I gave up thinking about it. If I got sleepy while operating a clone, I'd just crash. Who could complain if I decided to sleep? Anyway, the key point was I wasn't sleepy right now.

"Bored as hell."

And since I wasn't sleepy, I was extremely bored. What to do to kill time? I considered gaming, but the games in this world—and the skill level of gamers—weren't that impressive. It just didn't appeal. More precisely, I'd advanced too far; there was no fun in it anymore.

Even the 5v5 games that were all the rage back on Earth existed here. But to me, they felt like the easiest difficulty setting. I could predict an opponent's skill just from the slightest twitch of their character. Dodge out of range or counter with my own skill to nullify theirs—done.

And crucially, puppeteering virtual characters to fight felt way less thrilling than clashing superpowers in real life. Wait, my body's too tough—maybe no thrill there either? But stomping noobs has its own charm.

Anyway, I'd just wrapped up a massive event a few hours ago, so today was for chilling. But how to chill?

"Am I a workaholic or something?"

My villain gig could kinda count as a job. Villains don't hold back on means or methods to hit their goals, right? Heroes only haul their lazy asses out when a villain stirs up trouble. Villains? We hustle to create the trouble.

Scout the site beforehand, buy and inspect weapons for the op. And that's not all—you pick the perfect date, finalize every prep, then you villain. Success doesn't end it either. Fence the loot, pay out the crew and underlings. Once the books balance? Back to scouting and prepping.

Every villain move drips with artisan spirit. Heroes? They lounge at Hero Association HQ until a villain alert pings, then sluggishly deploy. Beat the baddies—done. If villains are ants, heroes are grasshoppers.

In this world, you don't succeed without hustle. That's villain life.

"Fuckin' heroes. Hope they all drop dead."

Oh, right—Slave No. 1 is a hero. Plus harem hopefuls Ice Queen and Flame Witch are heroes too.

"All the male heroes can drop dead."

Male heroes? Who needs 'em. Don't care if they croak.

"Ahh~ wanna fuck~"

I stretched my limbs, humming a little tune. Song title: Sex Sex Bo. As in, sex-sex-bodigital.

My body's different now—had just banged Yuna, Elis, and Emily not long ago, but I was raring for more already.

"Go see Ji-na?"

Unable to beat the boredom, I slipped out of the room. Moved stealthily so my footsteps wouldn't echo.

—Steel Armor, of all things...

'Huh?'

On my way to Ji-na's room, passing Mom and Dad's, I caught words I couldn't ignore and froze. Pressed my ear to the door, eavesdropping on their chat.

—How did he know our plans?

—Who knows. Could be coincidence. No reason for him to spill anyway. Sorry, though.

—Huh? For what?

—Siren's Heart. You wanted it.

—It's fine. Actually, good call. If you'd fought Steel Armor over it and gotten hurt, I'd have been devastated.

—Honey...

—And we're dropping the Siren's Heart. Seeing it once is enough for me.

—But...

—Steel Armor's an S-rank villain. Tangling with him brings zero upsides. Like I said a million times, you're worth a million—no, ten million—times more than some gem.

—Alright, got it.

—Hee hee hee. Tired? C'mere. I'll give you a massage today.

—Just a massage?

—Hmm... depends on you~

I eavesdropped a bit more, but nothing intel-worthy after that. Slipped away quietly before they noticed.

'Dodged a bullet... right?'

Mom said not to chase me, so Dad probably would. A full-on pursuit from him would've been a pain. His fog was a nightmare field. Yuna's water could navigate it, but I couldn't drag her everywhere.

'Or maybe not? Might come after me anyway?'

He could ignore her for my sake. Nothing he wouldn't do for Mom. Might reclaim Siren's Heart for her.

'Eh, just hand it over then.'

Siren's Heart had no real powers—just ornamental. Spritz seawater, it sings. Neat, but that's it. Already showed Elis anyway; if Dad nags, toss it his way.

'Nah, straight giveaway feels off. Trade instead.'

Dad's loaded. Not just cash—treasures galore. Regular thieves team up for profit. But Dad's Sanctuary Corp chairman, Dark City's top mogul. No need to fence to fences.

Nearly 30 years as master thief villains. What'd they do with all that swag? Probably a secret gallery just for them.

'Swap for stuff like Siren's Heart.'

Moment I saw it, a player-only quest popped. Means other relics could trigger more. Jackpot.

And I could snag Siren's Heart back anytime. Zero loss for me.

'Dad! Chase this ungrateful 'filial' son!'

I secretly hoped he'd pursue. Anyway, I crept through the shadowed hall to Ji-na's room.

"....."

Ji-na, knocked out from the museum, still hadn't woken hours later.

'What the hell happened? Still out cold.'

Sitting by her, I gently stroked her hair. Our matching black locks were silk-smooth.

"Ji-na."

"....."

"You asleep?"

"....."

"Guess so..."

"....."

My hand trailed down, brushing her forehead. Fingertip on brow, tapped nose tip. Tugged earlobe, thumb over lips.

"....."

Her breathing stayed steady.

'5% win rate! Best deal ever! Luck of the Draw, go!'

Confirmed she was out; activated Luck ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the Draw.

'You fuckin' piece-of-shit luck-sucking bastard!!!'

Best deal my ass! Total garbage! Tried Luck of the Draw to peek her powers—bust. Figures. My luck's never good.

'So damn curious.'

Instant Analysis still on cooldown. Another week at least.

"Fuckin' annoying."

Sighed, then flopped onto her bed naturally. The mattress, used to her light frame, screeched like it was dying under my weight—creeeak!

This fuckin' bed! Lived easy till now, huh? Not today! Everyone—er, every bed—carries a muscle pig once in life! This is your trial!

Ignored its pathetic screams, burrowed under the covers. Arm out for a pillow substitute. Pulled her shoulder, tucked her in close. Her petite frame slotted perfectly against me.

Tap-tap-tap.

"Don't hurt. Don't hurt. Don't hurt."

I patted her back, muttering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like a mantra.

"Don't hurt. Don't hurt. Don't... zzz..."

And passed out cold.

*****

'Eek! Help!'

Ji-na fled through deep darkness, pursued by something. Glancing back, she screamed. A massive beast shrouded in fog chased her.

She ran for her life but couldn't escape. It closed in.

'Oppa! Save me!'

Instinctively called for her brother. To her, he was family, brother, dad. And since awakening to desire—a man.

'Oppa!'

The beast reached out; she collapsed. Just as its arm descended—

Thud!

'Huh?'

A giant appeared, grabbing the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠arm. Gray, steel-clad ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠titan. It pummeled the beast like a boxer.

'Yes! Beat it! Smash it to pulp!'

Dazed, Ji-naa watched her tormentor get wrecked, then cheered the giant on. Each fist landing felt so good.

'Huh?'

Thud!

Then, distracted giant's foot dropped on her.

'Kyaaah! So heavy! Hey! Move your foot! It's heavy!'

Didn't die underfoot, but crushing weight. She pounded it, yelling—but no response.

'Heavy!'

*****

"Heavy! Waaah?"

Mumbling her dream shout, Ji-na opened her eyes.

"A dream...? But where am... huh?"

Realized it was a dream. Snapped to, looked around—snuggled in Jeong-nam's arms.

He slept deep, mouth agape: haaa~

"Wh-why's Oppa here...!?"

Startled, nearly woke him—clamped mouth shut. Peeked cautiously.

"Yawwn... nom nom..."

Dream-munching? Lips smacked nonstop. Tongue lolled, slurping air hard.

"Pfft! What kinda sleep-talk is that?"

She stifled a giggle. Timidly rested forehead on his chest. Felt his enveloping warmth. So cozy.

Used to bunk with Oppa as a kid... but once he turned "man," separate beds.

"Why's my body so heavy? Hmm?"

Finally noticed his leg draped over her. Dream-crush? His leg.

"Move your leg."

Squish~!

"Huh?"

Hand hit something soft. Baffled by the feel, she instinctively squeezed.

Hardeniiiiing—!

Incredibly, the soft thing stiffened rapidly. Grew too. Shocked, she looked down—

"....."

—and realized what she gripped.

Ji-na's face flushed crimson, like it might burst.